FUSD STUDENT DRESS CODE

The Board recognizes that each student's mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference.  The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents to make decisions regarding their appearance except when their choices affect the educational program of the schools or the health and safety of others.

Student dress codes should support equitable educational access and ensure dress does not cause a safety issue.  Student dress codes and administrative enforcement should not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, household income, or cultural observance.

Our values for student dress are:

A.  All students should be able to dress comfortably for school without fear of or actual unnecessary discipline or body shaming;

B.  Student dress will focus on safety;

C.  Students should not face unnecessary barriers to school attendance; and

D.  Reason for conflict and inconsistent discipline should be minimized whenever possible.

The Governing Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop a dress code that accomplishes the following goals:

A.  Maintain a safe learning environment in classes where protective or supportive clothing is needed.  One that does not present a health or safety hazard to the student or others in school;

B.  Does not cause excessive wear or damage to school property;

C.  Allow students to wear clothing of their choice that is comfortable;

D.  Allow students to wear clothing that expresses their self-identified gender;

E.  Allow students to wear religious attire without fear of discipline or discrimination;

F.  Prevent students from wearing clothing with images or language including profanity, hate speech, and pornography;

G.  Prevent students from wearing clothing with images or language depicting or advocating violence or the use of alcohol or drugs; and

H.  Ensure that all students are treated equitably regardless of race, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, household income, or cultural observance.

It is the policy of Flagstaff Unified School District to prohibit discrimination and harassment in student attire and appearance. The District encourages students to take pride in their attire as it relates to the school setting. Students should dress in a manner that, in addition to the following guidelines, takes into consideration the educational environment, safety, health, and welfare of self and others.

Students must wear:

A. Shirt with fabric in the front, back, and sides under the arms.

B. Bottoms that extend to at least mid-thigh.

C. Shoes appropriate to a safe educational environment.

Students may wear (examples may include):

A. Fitted pants, leggings, yoga pants, jeggings, skinny jeans.

B. Ripped jeans, provided holes/rips do not go above mid-thigh.

C. Religious and cultural head coverings and hair accessories.

D. Religious and cultural medallions, medals, or beads provided it does not create a safety hazard.

E. Headbands.

F. Hats, beanies, and hoods in school environments, including the classroom when permitted by the teacher. Note: Students may be asked to remove accessories and/or change clothing during curriculum or activities in which these items present a safety hazard

Students may not wear:

A. Shirts without shoulder material

B. See-through materials that expose undergarments

C. Graphic representations on clothing, accessories, or the body that display profanity, vulgarity, obscenities, hate speech, or promote alcohol, cigarettes, vaping, drugs, gang-related behavior*, or sexual activity

D. Images or language on clothing, accessories, or body that display or create a hostile or intimidating environment

E. Bathing suits

F. Helmets or sunglasses, inside the building (unless medically necessary)

G. Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon

H. Gang-related clothing (may include bandanas), which is defined by law enforcement.

Exceptions for special activities or health considerations may be pre-approved by the administrator. Attire should be appropriate for the weather during outside activities. These attire expectations shall apply to regular school days and summer schools; as well as any school-related activities. The purpose of the student attire policy and regulation is to ensure consistency and interpretation is implemented District-wide. It is the expectation and responsibility of staff to appropriately enforce student attire. Enforcement should be consistent with the District's discipline matrix. Failure to comply with the student attire policy should be enforced consistently with comparable behavior and conduct violation.